Amtrak preparing for busiest travel period of year

The rail services said Wednesday that Thanksgiving likely will be the busiest travel period of the year, and officials expect trains to sell out for the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Saturday and Sunday after the holiday.

Amtrak says the less-busy times may be the Monday before or the Friday or Monday after Thanksgiving Day.

Passengers are encouraged to get to the station at least 45 minutes before tickets are to be picked up and to carry photo identification. An ID is required when buying Amtrak tickets.

Passengers on long-distance trains will find a special menu option this holiday: a Thanksgiving dinner, complete with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.